By Ayodele Arowosegbe
Since the time immemorial, royal fathers have been the principal custodians of tradition in Africa strengthening the monarchy as an institution.
However, despite the sad dismantling of the traditional institutions of ancient African kingdoms by the colonialists, this sacred institution still stands as a symbol of our identity and culture.
The rites and processes of choosing a town’s monarch, therefore, are vital in preserving our identity and culture.
In Emure Ekiti, these fundamental factors are being brought to the fore as the ancient town choses its next king.
Historically, Emure Ekiti, located in Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti State, is a town with deep-rooted Yoruba cultural heritage as the town traces its origin directly to Oduduwa through its founding by Obadudu to Oranmiyan, who was a son of Oduduwa – the progenitor of the Yoruba race.
The community is traditionally governed by a monarchical system, with two dominant ruling houses responsible for rotational kingship, namely: Abenimota and Adumori, his brother.
THE ABENIMOTA RULING HOUSE AND THE LONG WAIT
Until 1983, when Oba Adigun Oshin, Omiyomade 1 ascended the throne of his ancestors, the Abenimota ruling house had not produced a king in Emure Ekiti since 1882 – over a century!
For over 30 years, the house fought legal battles seeking recognition and restoration of their historical, legitimate right to the throne. Inquiries and traditional consultations were part of the prolonged process to ensure fairness and legitimacy.
CURRENT KINGSHIP CONTEST AND ISSUES OF CONCERNS:
So far, five finalists have emerged as contenders for the Obaship race. however, concerns have been raised from different quarters within the community bordering on eligibility status of some candidates.
For instance, Princes and princesses from the Abenimota ruling house are apprehensive that external influences, particularly monetary, may be deployed to corrupt the process citing a recent viral voice note by an unnamed princess of the town.
They are therefore calling for absolute transparency in the selection process.
Amongst their requests is an open presentation of the final 5 contenstants to submit themselves to the scrutiny of their Abenimota ancestry by publicly stating their claim to the throne and describe in detail their paternal lineage within the Abenimota ruling house.
Once these five (5) contenders have published their claim of paternal lineage to Abenimota, it is imperative that the family heads and community elders of Emure Ekiti step in to scrutinize these lineage claims by doing thorough background checks on all five contenders.
Any candidate found to be ineligible must be called out and disqualified.
This is not just about tradition — it is about justice, about preserving the identity and honor of Emure Ekiti’s monarchical legacy. Only through such openness can the community ensure that the throne is not hijacked by those without legitimate claims.
A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTEGRITY
For many indigenes of Emure Ekiti, the kingship is not just a position of power; it is a spiritual mantle and a representation of the town’s ancestral heritage.
When this heritage is questioned or manipulated, it has the potential to affect the social and cultural norm of the town. That is why the call for transparency is not merely procedural, but profoundly emotional and symbolic.
Traditionally, succession to the throne in Yoruba towns like Emure Ekiti follows a well-established lineage and is guided by customs passed down through generations.
The ruling houses rotate in turn, and the royal families keep detailed oral and written records to trace their ancestry.
For the Abenimota ruling house, whose claim, until 1983, had been dormant for over a century, ensuring that their second opportunity to install another Elemure of Emure Ekiti since 1883 is not marred by injustice is important.
Multiple sources within the community believe that influence-peddling and financial inducements may be playing a role in the current process.
There are fears that powerful individuals are backing certain candidates whose link to the royal bloodline are, at best, tenuous. Such interference not only threatens the integrity of the throne but also sets a dangerous precedent for future generations.
It is worth emphasizing that the town’s respect for its traditional institutions depends heavily on the perceived authenticity of its leaders.
If the king is not seen as a legitimate descendant of the royal line, his reign may lack the spiritual and communal authority necessary to unite and guide the people. This is why the community must rise to the occasion and demand accountability.
The concerns raised by members of the Abenimota family is not a personal vendetta. Rather, it is a plea for fairness, justice, and a return to tradition.
It is a movement rooted in the belief that history must not be rewritten by money or manipulated by politics.
It is a call to the conscience of Emure Ekiti.
Let all five contenders present their paternal lineage publicly. Let the family elders scrutinize those claims diligently. Let the kingmakers and the entire town reject any candidate found wanting. This is the only way to honor the memory of those who fought tirelessly to reclaim the right to the throne for the Abenimota ruling house.
This moment calls for courage, wisdom, and honesty. The integrity of the town’s kingship depends on the choices made today. Let truth and history guide the process
Ayodele Arowosegbe is a Media Consultant and Political Analyst. He writes from Ado-Ekiti
